More than 4,000 Upper Clutha residents have been helped by a free mental health and wellbeing support programme which marks five years this month.

The Access and Choice programme - known locally as Tōku Oranga - is delivered through general practices.

Funded by Te Whatu Ora and delivered by WellSouth, the programme embeds health improvement practitioners (HIPs), health coaches and support workers into the practices, offering 20-30-minute sessions at no cost. 

Since it began in August 2020, the programme has delivered more than 175,000 sessions to more than 56,000 people in the Southern region.

Between Wānaka Medical Centre and Aspiring Medical Centre, the Access and Choice team has delivered nearly 11,500 sessions to more than 4,000 people since the programme launched in August 2020, a WellSouth spokesperson told the Wānaka App.

“HIPs saw people predominantly for low mood, anxiety, generalised stress, sleep and relationship issues,” she said. 

“The health coach typically supported people around their physical wellbeing, weight and healthy lifestyles as well as smoking cessation.”

Access and Choice programme lead Genevieve Obbeek said the programme has “changed the way we respond to mental health and wellbeing in primary care”. 

“People can get support early, in the places they already trust, without long waits or unnecessary barriers. There’s no wrong reason to come and see one of our team - any door is the right door, and it’s free.”

The programme has helped bridge critical gaps in the health system by offering timely, practical support for people experiencing mental distress, stress, or life challenges, Genevieve said. 

It has also played a key role in improving equity, with services tailored to better meet the needs of Māori, Pacific, youth, and other underserved populations.

In addition to individual sessions, Access and Choice has introduced group workshops and proactive wellbeing initiatives that help people learn practical skills, connect with others, and stay well. 

The programme has also been named as a finalist for the 2025 New Zealand Primary Healthcare Awards.

Find out more about how to access support here.

PHOTO: Supplied